Brian Dolzani - If I Don't Speak A Word

Brian Dolzani – If I Don’t Speak A Word
2012, Brian Dolzani

Growing up, Brian Dolzani was the quietest kid in school.  His old school mates are often shocked to find out he chose the career of a singer/songwriter.  But churning around in all of that quiet was whirling mass of raw emotions that have oft-times been bigger than the man.  Dolzani documents many of his internal struggles, and the effects they’ve had on his relationships, in If I Don’t Speak A Word.  Comparisons to Freedy Johnston, Jules Shear and Neil Young give you an idea of the style and sound, perhaps, but Dolzani is truly an original.

It’s not any one particular quality about Dolzani that makes the album a stand out, unless you consider abject honesty to be a musical quality.  Dolzani’s voice wouldn’t get him on American Idol, and there’s no brash or eclectic style here.  Dolzani thrives on telling his own stories honestly, with bumps and bruises showing, and in taking responsibility for the things he owns.  He starts with “Older Now”, acknowledging that things change with perspective and time, and also expressing a sort of gratitude at being around to know these truths.  All of this is delivered in an unvarnished style that is refreshing and real.

Dolzani wades through botched relationships (“Not As Lonely”, “Fair”); personal imperfections (“Broken”, “Autumn In Central Park”) and attempts to make things right (“Before Goodnight”, “I’m Sorry Now”), while following the steps toward a better life.  It’s sort of a 12-Step program set to music, but with all of the messy twist and turns that define humanity.  The most compelling moment of the album is “Hey Dad”, and open letter in song to Dolzani’s father, who passed away when he was fifteen years old.  The raw emotion and perspective in this song are impossible to ignore, and Dolzani’s entire journey on this album hinge around this song and the events it documents.  Dolzani also manages to hit home with “Wilted” a song about the natural process of decay as it applies to people and relationships.  There’s a pragmatic air to the song, a sad and knowing nod to the idea that is the natural order rather than something to weep over.

Brian Dolzani is a solid, stand-up singer/songwriter who sings from the heart, shaped by a mind bent on understanding what went wrong and how things can be better.  His plain-spoken vocal style is reminiscent of a time before auto-tune, a time when voices were what they were, and compelling stories were often told in less than perfect sonic states.  The fact is that Brian Dolzani delivers the goods on If I Don’t Speak A Word, carving out a story that’s tragic at times, but also shows that redemption is still very much a part of the human story.  Dolzani tells the story with articulate grace and raw emotion, tempered with the perspective and maturity that only mistakes can bring.  It’s real, compelling and true.

Rating:  4 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more at www.briandolzani.com. 

Review: Rob Morsberger - The Chronicle Of A Literal Man

Rob Morsberger - The Chronicle Of A Literal Man
2010, Hieroglyph Records

Rob Morsberger is a classically trained pianist and composer based in New York City who not only scores television shows (NOVAscienceNOW) and session work with artists such as Marshall Crenshaw, Crash Test Dummies, Jules Shear and Loudon Wainwright III, but he also has three distinctive albums to his name. Writing from a musical depth that is rare in pop music, Morsberger crafts highly intellectual and occasionally twisted stories in song that are never dumbed down and always challenge the listener to think beyond their usual day-to-day considerations. Having found this style of writing works, Morsberger saw no need to change on his upcoming release, The Chronicle Of A Literal Man, due out May 11, 2010.

The Chronicle Of A Literal Man is based ostensibly on the life of Dalton Trumbo, one of the Hollywood Ten who were blacklisted from Hollywood due to their political beliefs in the days of Joe McCarthy and the Red Scare. The album opens with the title track, the unrepentant declaration of someone whose been beaten down, pushed around and generally chastised yet perseveres and perhaps even thrives in spite of it all. It’s a great rock tune with an energetic guitar solo and a solid kick-off for the album. “Stroke Of Insight” will call to mind thoughts of a Tom Petty/Bob Dylan hybrid. The song is highly literate and smart, with an unforgettable melody and solid arrangement to wrap it up tight. “Independent Movie” finds Morsberger stripping down the sound to acoustic guitar, percussion and voice. The musicianship here is top notch. “Modestino” has a pensive, perhaps even rueful feel; a classic 1970’s singer/songwriter vehicle. “When Everything Ended” is one of the more artful breakup songs you’ll come across. This retrospective on a romance gone bad has a gorgeous melody, and Morsberger crafts the story with a gentle but compelling touch. “Nebraska In Winter” could be an epilogue; marking how sometimes the escape we seek becomes the loneliness we run from. The story is told in a Springsteen-esque ballad (think The River) that will hold your attention. Morsberger closes out with the solid Americana arrangement of “You Don’t Get It”, a safe closer that moves back to the sonic middle of the road.

Rob Morsberger displays a keen but subtle wit on The Chronicle Of A Literal Man; not a humorist per se, but a fine story teller who sprinkles his stories with wit, charm and the occasional deep artistic reference that pretty much only Dennis Miller gets without reading the liner notes or press materials. Morsberger is an outstanding and in-demand side man, and his score work is impressive, but it’s in his singer/songwriter mode where Rob Morsberger shines brightest. The Chronicle Of A Literal Man is very much worth spending some time on.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Rob Morsberger at http://www.robmorsberger.com/ or www.myspace.com/robmorsberger. The Chronicle Of A Literal Man drops on May 11, 2010. Keep checking Morsberger's web page for availability.